A multi level rack apparatus for holding elongated items upright for storage includes a rack frame having an “X” shaped profile defined by four arms which extend out from a center portion. A structural exterior is formed from a top support level, an side wall, and a base support level, and extends across each of the arms. Disposed inside the rack frame is a lower support level which is parallel to and positioned between the top support level and base support level and a vertical support post which helps maintain the relative position of the support levels from the center portion. A plurality of sets of holding sections are disposed in each of the support levels, with each set aligned between the support levels such that an elongated item can be held upright in place by one set of holding sections.

Patent
   9615661
Priority
Aug 09 2016
Filed
Aug 09 2016
Issued
Apr 11 2017
Expiry
Aug 09 2036
Assg.orig
Entity
Micro
1
49
EXPIRING-grace
1. A multi level rack apparatus for holding elongated items upright, comprising:
a rack frame having an “X” shaped profile and four arms which extend out from a center portion, wherein said rack frame includes a top support level forming a top surface, a base support level forming a bottom surface, and a lower support level which is parallel to and positioned between the top support level and base support level;
a plurality of sets of holding sections disposed on said rack frame, wherein each set of holding sections defines a top holding portion defining a notch in said top support level, a base holding portion defining a basin in said base support level, and a lower holding portion defining an aperture in said lower support level;
a support post is positioned in the center portion, extending between the top support level and base support level;
a handling member integral with said top support level and positioned over the support post;
wherein the top holding portion, base holding portion, and lower holding portion in each set are vertically aligned so as to cause an elongated item that engages the top holding portion, base holding portion, and lower holding portion of the same set to be positioned upright;
wherein said each arm includes a side wall at the arm's distal-most end relative to the center portion, extending between the top support level and base support level.

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to storage devices and, more particularly, to a multi level cross shaped rack apparatus having intersecting arms of equal length.

Description of the Prior Art

The use of storage devices, such as racks and stands, to hold elongated items in an upright position for storage is well known. A problem which still exists, however, is that many conventional racks or stands offer a limited amount of storage space relative to the size of the device due to their linear or circular shape. Thus, there remains a need for a multi level rack apparatus that provides four storage arms which extend radially from a center portion. It would be helpful if such a multi level rack apparatus included a plurality of levels to allow it to securely hold items upright. It would be additionally desirable for such a multi level rack apparatus to include an integrated handle to allow the apparatus to be repositioned even while holding items.

The Applicant's invention described herein provides for a multi level rack apparatus adapted to hold elongated items across a plurality of levels in one of four radial arms. The primary components in Applicant's multi level rack apparatus are a rack frame and a handle. When in operation, the multi level rack apparatus enables more effective and efficient storage of elongated items. As a result, many of the limitations imposed by prior art structures are removed.

A multi level rack apparatus for holding elongated items upright for storage. The multi level rack apparatus comprises a rack frame having an “X” shaped profile defined by four arms which extend out from a center portion. Across each of the arms is the same continuous exterior that defines the structural exterior of the rack frame. The structural exterior is formed from a top support level, an side wall, and a base support level. Disposed inside the rack frame is a lower support level which is parallel to and positioned between the top support level and base support level and a vertical support post which helps maintain the relative position of the support levels from the center portion. A plurality of sets of holding sections are disposed in each of the support levels, with each set aligned between the support levels such that an elongated item can be held upright in place by one set of holding sections.

It is an object of this invention to provide a multi level rack apparatus that employs four storage arms which extend radially from a center portion.

It is another object of this invention to provide a multi level rack apparatus that includes a plurality of levels to allow it to securely hold items upright.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a multi level rack apparatus that includes an integrated handle to allow the apparatus to be repositioned even while holding items.

These and other objects will be apparent to one of skill in the art.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a multi level rack apparatus built in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a multi level rack apparatus built in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a multi level rack apparatus built in accordance with the present invention with a plurality of items stored thereon.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, a multi level rack apparatus 100 is shown having a rack frame 110 having an “X” shaped profile and formed from four arms 111 which extend out from a center portion 112. In the illustrated embodiment, each arm 111 is perpendicular to the other arms 111 to which it is adjacent. Extending from the center portion 112 and across each of the arms 111 is a continuous exterior formed from a top support level 113, an side wall 114, and a base support level 115. This continuous exterior defines the structural exterior of the rack frame 110.

Inside the rack frame 110 is a vertical support post 116 positioned in the center portion 112 and a lower support level 117 which is parallel to the top support level 113 and base support level 115 and positioned between these support levels 113, 115. The support post 116 provides a central support which helps maintain the relative position of the top support level 113, lower support level 117, and base support level 115, while the lower support level 117 operates to prevent items positioned to extend between the top support level 113 and base support level 115 from tipping over.

A plurality of sets of holding sections are disposed on the top support level 113, lower support level 117, and base support level 115 of each arm 111. Each set of holding sections includes a holding notch 118 in the top support level 113, a holding aperture 119 in the lower support level 117, and a holding basin 120 in the base support level 115. For each set of holding sections, the holding notch 118, holding aperture 119, and holding basin 120 are aligned vertically so that an elongated item 101 can be slid into the holding aperture 119 until its bottom rests in the holding basin 120, with its upper section then positioned in the holding notch 118 (as illustrated in FIG. 3). In this regard, the holding notch 118, holding aperture 119, and holding basin 120 configures the top support level 113, lower support level 117, and base support level 115 to hold an elongated item 101 upright.

In one embodiment, a handle member 121 is fixed to the top support level 113, extending over the support post 116, to provide a handling structure to allow for moving or repositioning the a multi level rack apparatus 100.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Hildebrand, Steven

Patent Priority Assignee Title
11882819, Sep 30 2020 Fishing rod holder for wash-down of rods and reels
Patent Priority Assignee Title
1302267,
1757600,
2815863,
318336,
331011,
3938665, Dec 18 1972 Display units
4143194, Mar 01 1977 JOHNSON & JOHNSON MEDICAL, INC , A NJ CORP Disposable floor mat combination
4361614, May 20 1981 Slip resistant mat with molding and method of assembly
4399176, Mar 31 1980 Pretty Products, LLC Automotive floor mat having rigid rib
4534471, Apr 27 1983 Schwaab Inc. Stamp holding clip and rack therefor
4641755, Jun 10 1985 The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Projectile stowage rack
4688685, Dec 02 1985 Rack assembly for elongated objects
4807763, Nov 13 1987 Portable, disassemblable stand for baseball bats and the like
4966288, Aug 22 1988 Valve train organizer
5029707, Aug 21 1990 Tool box
5039052, Jul 11 1986 Portable weapon rack
5154961, May 03 1991 International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc Floor mat and method of making same
5207321, Apr 07 1992 Portable storage device
5224602, Jun 05 1992 Combination baseball and bat carrying case, bat rack and ball dispenser
5244700, Aug 07 1992 Centerpiece assembly simulating floral bouquet
5362544, May 03 1991 International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc Floor mat and method of making same
5620546, May 03 1991 International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc Method of making a floor mat having a channel
5643139, Jun 30 1993 BSN SPORTS, LLC Contoured landing surface system and method of making thereof
5657883, Dec 20 1995 Mobile fishing rod rack
5678348, Oct 11 1995 Portable fishing rod organizer
5772050, Mar 03 1997 Ink stamp rack
5815995, Aug 01 1996 Diversified Industrial Technologies, Inc. Slip-resistant floor covering system
5919540, Nov 04 1996 Motor vehicle floor mat with exchangeable textile faced insert
6047491, Oct 22 1998 Portable fishing pole storage and supporting device
6114014, Aug 29 1997 Japan Vilene Company, Ltd. Floor mat and process for producing the same
6250480, Jul 29 1999 Justin A., McGuinness Handle supporting fishing rod rack
6360902, Nov 13 2000 Fishing rod rack for boat decks
6382350, Apr 02 2001 AURIA SOLUTIONS UK I LTD Molded acoustic and decorative mats and methods for forming the same
6398045, Mar 02 2001 Water nozzle rack
7036668, Aug 26 2002 DAMAR ENTERPRISES LLC Tool holder and method
712428,
7937883, Nov 17 2006 ROEMER, BRIAN G Fishing rod carrier and holder device
9198511, Apr 26 2013 PENDLETON SAFE COMPANY, INC Safes with rotating inner supports and interior pistol shelves
9282817, Feb 05 2014 Roy E., Yates Support rack and method of supporting one or more elongated objects
20050252871,
20060246255,
20110220599,
20140345507,
20150216301,
185807,
D342774, Oct 07 1991 Ground inserted arrow holder
D379881, Oct 12 1994 Locking gun rack
D426282, Oct 04 1999 Weathervane Capitol Inc. Rod and reel holder
DE29510665,
Executed onAssignorAssigneeConveyanceFrameReelDoc
Date Maintenance Fee Events
Nov 30 2020REM: Maintenance Fee Reminder Mailed.
Apr 12 2021M3551: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 4th Year, Micro Entity.
Apr 12 2021M3554: Surcharge for Late Payment, Micro Entity.


Date Maintenance Schedule
Apr 11 20204 years fee payment window open
Oct 11 20206 months grace period start (w surcharge)
Apr 11 2021patent expiry (for year 4)
Apr 11 20232 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4)
Apr 11 20248 years fee payment window open
Oct 11 20246 months grace period start (w surcharge)
Apr 11 2025patent expiry (for year 8)
Apr 11 20272 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8)
Apr 11 202812 years fee payment window open
Oct 11 20286 months grace period start (w surcharge)
Apr 11 2029patent expiry (for year 12)
Apr 11 20312 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12)